The Devin Williams Era Is About to Begin

I got together with Devin Williams recently.

We talked about the start of the season and playing in New York.

His eyes quickly told the whole story.

He's periodically come to New York, all throughout his career, as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Ironically, his very first game to start the 2025 season as a Yankee in New York is against those very same Brewers.

Concurrently, I've been friendly with his former manager Pat Murphy, for several years and he's always raved about Devin the person and Devin the pitcher.

I can tell that Murphy is going to miss both.

I have to say that Murphy's loss will definitely be the Yankees and New York’s gain.

The Yankees have had a long history of great closers during the George Steinbrenner era.

It started with the great Sparky Lyle who won the Cy Young Award in 1977.

That was the year that the Yankees won their first World Championship under Steinbrenner.

That was followed up by hall of fame closer Richard Michael "Goose" Gossage, who closed the deciding game against the Dodgers in the 1978 classic.

That was followed by Dave Righetti who ironically pitched the first no hitter since Don Larson, but the following season became the closer in the bullpen when the Yankees lost.

The Goose to free agency. Naturally the next great reliever was the man considered the greatest of all time — Mariano Rivera or affectionately known to his teammates and fans as Mo!

Now when we get to the ninth inning we will see the Yankees new prize closer Devin Williams running out of the bullpen anxiously ready to mow down opposing hitters during these crucial save situations.

The bridge from Sparky Lyle to Mo has been a historically great one.

It’s been a road with hardly any tolls.

Now the Devin Williams era begins and if I was a betting man I would have to say that it’s going to be a fun and exciting one.

I’d have to definitely listen to the handicapper.

In this case it being his former manager Pat Murphy who knows him better than most.

Ray Negron is a sports executive with over 40 years of experience in baseball. His first job came from a chance encounter with George Steinbrenner as a youth. Mr. Negron is also an American film producer, a best-selling author, and philanthropist. His memoir is, "Yankee Miracles: Life with the Boss and the Bronx Bombers." Read Ray Negron's Reports — More Here.